Wire and Cable is a significantly larger industry than your average consumer may realize, as it is directly responsible for providing electricity, telecommunications, and data transmission. The manufacturing process typically starts with metals such as copper or aluminum, which are then wrapped in an insulated material, such as rubber, PVC, or other kinds of polymers.
The manufacturing process typically begins with creating a mechanical cable capable of carrying electrical current, typically made of copper, aluminum, or other alloys, depending on the application. Once this has been created, the cable will need to be drawn into an insulator and covered completely, in a process referred to as Extrusion.
Raw materials used for insulation, typically in the form of pellets, are heated and melted. This process not only allows the material to be shaped, but also causes it to undergo a chemical change which makes the materials more heat resistant and durable. Once melted and cured, the hot insulator will pass through a mold to create the desired shape. As this shape is created, mechanical wire will be fed into it, along with another heat treatment, to cause the insulation to shrink and adhere tightly to the cable, forming a perfect layer of insulation, before being cooled and wound onto reels for distribution. Steam is utilized throughout this process as the ideal method of heat application.
With its precise temperature control and high quality dry steam, the Clayton Steam Generator’s efficient And fully modular design is an ideal choice to supply steam heat to the wire and cable industry.